My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Naso (2)
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on June 4, 2009 | Tags: Naso
Judaism recognizes that even our greatest sages have their flaws. Perfection is reserved for God. Thus we have been given the means to atone for wrongdoing and to do "t'shuvah," literally "turning" onto the right path. In Parshah Naso Moses is told that part of the process when a person realizes he has done wrong and wants to make amends is that he "shall confess the wrong that he has done" in addition to making restitution. (Num 5:7) Compare that with the modern style of saying that "mistakes were made" (as if they were done by anonymous third parties) or apologizing "if my remarks gave offense" (as if the real flaw was in the listener, not the speaker). Even in Temple times, the person who made an expiation sacrifice but who didn't admit his wrongdoing to himself or those he had harmed was not deemed forgiven. Actions are important, but simply going through the motions isn't enough.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
